Apparatus for extracting metals from refractory ores.



No. 649,l5l. Patented May 8, 1900. W. WRIGHT.

APPARATUS FOR EXTBAGTING METALS FROM REFRACTORY DRES.

(Application filed Apr. 26, 1699.)

2 Sheets-Sheet (No Model.)

WI s.

I11 ven tor Witnesses 'No. 649;!51. Patented May 8, I900.

' w. WRIGHT. APPARATUS FOR EXTRACTINE METALS FROM REFBACIQRYDRES.(Anplication filed Apr. 2a, 1899. (No Mqdol.) 2 Sheqta-Sheet 2.

A Witnesses: 4 M Inventor "W Attys.

ms annals PETERS co. morouhyoq WASHINGTON. b. c.

UNITED STATES ATENT nron.

WILLIAM WRIGHT, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, OFELEVEN-TWENTIETHS TO WILLIAM BOULDIN, J R, TRUSTEE,

OF ORANGE, NEW JERSEY.

APPARATUS FOR EXTRACTING METALS FROM REFRACTORY ORES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 649,151, dated May 8,1900.

Application filed April 26,1899. Serial No. 714,541. (No model.)

T0 ctZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM WRIGHT, a citizen of the United States,residing at New York, in the borough of Manhattan, county and State ofNew York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatusfor Extracting Metals from Refractory Ores, of which the following is aspecification.

My invention relates to an improved apparatus for extracting metals fromrefractory ores.

My object is the provision of a cheap and efficient apparatus for thepurpose.

My improved apparatus comprises a tank for receiving a sludge of theore, a stationary horizontal perforated partition in said tank, formingbeneath it a chamber, a cathode on the bottom of the tank within saidchamber, a filtering medium carried on the partition, a

number of pins arranged in a series of concentric circles projectingupward from said partition, a main driving-shaft, a plurality of anodescarried by said shaft, preferably from a series of radial arms, saidanodes working between the series of concentric pins, and preferably aplurality of dash-plates carried by the side of the tank above thepartition.

In prior apparatus for the extraction of metals from refractory oresusing an electroiytic process difficulty has been experienced because ofthe fact that the electrolytic action results in a decomposition of theanode and the consequent formation in the apparatus of a varyingquantity of an extraneous baser metal. Besides this in said priorapparatus the decomposition of the anode or anodes resulted in a more orless rapid wearing away and weakening of the same, necessitatingfrequent renewals thereof. In order to overcome these objections, I makemy anodes of a non-decomposable material which at the same time shall bea sufficiently good electrical conductor for the purpose. Pref erably Iemploy carbon for these anodes, and to secure the requisite strengththereof I prefer to employ a metallic core around which the carbon ismolded or disposed in any other suitable way. Owing to the porosity ofcarbon, and in order to prevent the solution from reaching the metalliccore thereof when used and resulting in a consequent decomposition ofsuch core, I prefer to immerse the electrodes after they have beenformed in a bath of a suitable waterproof material, such as meltedparaffin, which fills the pores and prevents this objectionable actionfrom occurring.

In order that my invention may be better understood, attention isdirected to the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 illustrates apreferred embodiment of my apparatus for the carrying out of my improvedprocess; Fig. 2, a vertical section, on an enlarged scale, of thepreferred construction of anode; and Fig. 3, a plan view of theapparatus, showing the main driving-shaft in section.

In all of the views corresponding parts are represented by the samenumerals of reference.

1 represents a tank or bath of the proper dimensions, made, preferably,of a non-conducting material, such as wood. The bottom of this tankcomprises a chamber 2, such chamber being separated from the mainportion of the tank by a perforated partition 3, made, preferably, ofwood.

at is a vertical shaft mounted in bearings carried by a suitablesupporting-frame, said shaft being rotated by gears 5 of anysuitablecharacter. The shaft 4 carries on its end a suitable spider or frame,comprising in this instance the arms 6, which are arranged in anysuitable disposition. Suspended from the frame 6 are the anodes 7, thepreferred construction of which is shown in Fig. 2. With this preferredconstruction each anode comprises a pin 8, carried by the frame 6,between the two nuts 9 9, and having an outer covering 10 of a suitableconducting but non decomposable material, preferably carbon. This carbonmay be molded or otherwise secured to the pin 8. Owing to the porosityof the carbon it is preferably immersed in a suitable waterproofsubstance, such as melted paraffin, whereby all of its pores will befilled and the solution will be prevented from attacking the metalliccore. The cathode com-- prises, preferably, a plate 11, of steel orother suitable metal, carried at the bottom of the chamber 2, as shown.The perforated partition 3 is covered with a canvas, blanket, or otherfiltering medium 12.

In order to prevent the centrifugal movement of the slush, I prefer toemploy a series of dash plates 13, carried by the interior walls of thetank 1, and to use also a series of pins 14, secured to the partition 3and arranged in a plurality of concentric series, between which theanodes 7 are moved. The perforated partition 3 is carried in anysuitable wayas, for instance, upon blocks at the sides thereof. Pluggedopenings 16 and 17 are providedfor the drawing off of the sludge and theclear solution carrying the metal in suspension. Water may be addedthrough a cook 18, as shown. A source of electric supply 19 is used, thepositive pole of which connects with the shaft t by a brush 20 and thenegative pole of which connects with the cathode 11.

Assuming'the reduction of a moderatelyrich gold ore by a chlorinatin gprocess, the operation will be as follows: About two thousand pounds ofthe ore in a finely-reduced condition is mixed with about twelve hundredpounds of water to form a pulp or sludge, and from twenty to fortypounds of common salt are added thereto. This mixture is introduced inthe tank, and the water slowly percolates through the filtering medium12 to fill the leaching-chamber 2. The desired water-line in allinstances in operation is below the top of the carbon surfaces of theanodes, as shown in dotted lines, whereby decomposition of the anodewill be prevented. Power is applied to the gearing 5 to rotate the shaft4, and the anodes engaging with the sludge keep it in constantagitation. The circuit being closed, the current passes from the anodethrough the sludge and solution to the cathode, and the electrolyticaction results in the extraction of the gold in the well-known way. Thisoperation is performed until a test of the pulp or sludge discloses notrace of gold. lVhen this result is secured, the solution carrying thefine metallic particles is drawn off from the chamber through theplugged opening 17, and water is supplied through the cook 18 tomaintain the waterlevel at approximately its former height, therebycarrying down any free metal above the partition. When a test of thesolution drawn off through the plugged opening 17 discloses no trace ofgold, that opening is closed and the opening 16 is opened, whereupon thesludge will be removed by the agitation of the anodes and is conveyed tothe dump. The solution drawn off from the chamber is treated in anysuitable way for the recovery of the gold or other metal.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is as follows:

1. An apparatus for extracting metals from refractory ores comprising atank for receiv ing a sludge of such ores, a stationary, horizontal,perforated partition in said tank, forming beneath it a chamber, acathode on the bottom of the tank within said chamber, a filteringmedium carried on the partition, a number of pins arranged in a seriesof concentric circles projecting upward from said partition, a maindriving-shaft, a plurality of anodes carried by said shaft and workingbetween the series of concentric pins, and a plurality of dash-platescarried by the side of the tank above the partition, substantially asand for the purposes set forth.

.2. An apparatus for extracting metals from refractory ores comprising atank for receiving a sludge of such ores, a stationary,horizontal,perforated partition in said tank,forming beneath it achamber, a cathode on the bottom of the tank within said chamber, afiltering medium carried on the partition, a number of pins arranged ina series of concentric circles projecting upward from said partition, amain driving-shaft, a series of radial arms supported by said shaft, anda plurality of anodes carried by said arms and working between theseries of concentric pins, substantially as set forth.

This specification signed and witnessed this 241th day of April, 1899.

WILLIAM WVRIGIIT.

lVitnesses JNo. R. TAYLOR, FRANK L. DYER.

